Phata Outgrowers Cooperative
Phata Cooperative transformed 380 smallholder households from subsistence farming into one of Malawi’s most successful farmer-owned commercial sugarcane enterprises through irrigation, cooperative governance, and professional farm management.
Established in 2011 in partnership with Agricane, Phata Sugarcane Outgrowers Cooperative brought together local farmers to develop 300 hectares of irrigated sugarcane production in Malawi’s Lower Shire Valley. Supported by EU funding and Agricane’s technical expertise, the cooperative created a commercially viable farming business owned and governed by its members while building the skills and systems needed for long-term success.
Project at a Glance:
• Location: Chikwawa District, Malawi
• Established: 2011
• Farmer Households: 380 founding members
• Irrigated Sugarcane: 300 hectares
• Food Security Crops: 10 hectares under irrigation
• Certification: Fairtrade Certified since 2015
Beyond infrastructure development, the project invested heavily in farmer training, cooperative governance, business management, agricultural production, and environmental stewardship. Today, Phata is recognized as a leading smallholder outgrower model and helped shape the cooperative framework adopted by the Shire Valley Transformation Project, demonstrating how organized farmers can successfully manage commercial agriculture at scale while creating sustainable livelihoods for their communities.
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